Independent record labels in Australia, Spain, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States have joined forces in support of Independents Day, an event organized to raise money for the organizations that are trying to assemble indie labels into a more cohesive entity. Taken together, indie labels could constitute a bargaining/licensing entity on par with the majors. Funds raised by Independents Day will help with that effort.
During the 72 hour window starting on July 4 and ending on July 6, supporters of independent music can purchase a 25-song compilation album with contributions by Charlatans UK, Devendra Banhart, The Donnas, Feeder, Frank Black, Pacifika, Slipknot, The Mighty Underdogs, Tokyo Police Club and others.
The MP3 compilation is available for $9 from the main site or any of the retailer partners’ sites (eMusic, Zune or Amazon). Proceeds will go to A2IM (the American Association of Independent Music), WIN (the Worldwide Independent Network), the Recording Academy charity MusiCares, and a fund that supports the creation of similar independent label groups in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere.
Independents Day 08 U.S.$8.99 (MP3)
In addition, Independents Day backers will auction off items and services donated by independent musicians on eBay. The auctions start on Friday, July 4 and close on July 13. Some of the items on the block sound downright intriguing, including a 12-hour tour of the city of Portland, Oregon, with the Gang of Four’s Dave Allen and the opportunity to shadow the CEO of indie label powerhouse Beggars Group:
And here’s the full tracklisting for the US MP3 compilation album:
In the UK, a somewhat different set of tunes will be available on double CD:
